Back support



Rl' R. FREUND July 23, 1929.

BACK SUPPORT Filed Jan. 10, 1928 ln/venin Patented July 233, 1929.

ROBERT R. FREUND, OF EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

Brion snrronr.-

Application filed January 10, 1928. Serial No. 245,732.`

rlhis invention relates to body'supporting apparatus, and has for one of its objects to provide a novel, simple and highly ellicient apparatus of this character which shall be adapted to support the back in a manner to prevent strain on' the muscles thereof, which will not retard the movements ot' the body while at work, and which cannot become displaced by the movements of the body while standing' or sitting or whi le assuming a standing or a sitting posture.

A further object ot the invention is to provide a body supporting apparatus ot the character stated which shall be adapted to support the abdomen and utilize the movements ot the body to effect the massaging of the abdomen, and which shall be adapted to be readily adjusted for application to persons of differentsizes.

lilith the foregoing and other objects in view, the nature of which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in iront elevation of the body supporting apparatus in applied position,

Figure 2 is a view in 'front elevation of the body supporting apparatus arranged for application, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the vertical plane indicated by the line '3 3 of Figure 1.

The body supporting apparatus comprises a strap 1 which is of sectional formation and provided with elastic inserts 2. rllhe front ends of the sections ot the strap 1 are con-l nected by buckles 3 and tabs 4, andthe rear ends of the sections are connected by a buckle 3a. The strap 1 extends about the abdomen.

and rests upon they hips, and its elastic inserts 2 contact with the abdomen.` Arms 5 which are arranged at the sides of the body directly above the hips, are secured at their lower ends to the strap 1 by brackets 6. The arms 5 comprise lower members 7 which are screw threaded and connected directly to the brackets 6, and upper members 8 which are tubular and internally screw threaded and adjustably engaged with the lower members so as to permit the length or height of the arms to be varied. Arcuate rests or crutch members 9,

which are equipped with pads l() and engage under the arms, are provided with downwardly extending screw threaded stems 11 which are slidably arranged in the upper ends of the tubular members 8. Flanged nuts 12.

and 13 are adjustably mounted on the arm member 7 and the stem 11, respectively, and n lstems 11. The front ends of the sections of this strap are connected by a buckle 16, and the rear ends of these strap sections lare connected bya buckle 17.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be understood that the apparatus functions to yieldingly support the shoulders, and that due thereto the muscles of the back are relieved from strain. As the strap 1 extends rabout the abdomen and is provided with elastic inserts 2 which are tensioned during'the application of thestrap, the abdomen is supported and subjected to almassaging action during the movements of the body. As the rests 9 are yieldingly supported, the apparatus will not retard the movements of the body and will not make the wearer uncomfortable. As the springs lll may be placed under various tensions, the apparatus may be adjusted to suit requirements of different persons, and this, together with the adjustability of the straps 1 and 15, permit the device to be adapted for use by persons of different sizes.

It should be understood that the drawing is merely illustrative and does not pretend to give exact proportions. Furthermore, the said drawing is illustrative of a preferred construction, it being my expectation that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What is claimed is 1. A supporting apparatus of the character set forth, comprising an abdominal strap, arms adjustable as to length and secured to the Strap, shoulder rests sldably associated with the arms, and springs carried by the arms and yeldngly supporting the rests.

2. An apparatus oi' the eha'aoter SetA orh,

comprising an abdominal strap, arms adjustable as 'to length and Secured to Jche Strap, shoulder rests slldably assoolated Wlth the aims, Straps adj ustably associated with the rests for Contact with the arms, membels adjustably associated with the arms, and spngs 10 positioned between the straps and members. f

n tesmony whereof ax my Signature.

ROBERT R. FREUND. 

